Barometric condenser.



N9. 887,634. PATENTED MAY 12, 1908. A. H. HELANDER.

BAROMETRIG CONDENSER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 31, 190B.

2 SHEETS-SHBET 1.

WITNESSES INVENTOR Q PATENTED MAY 12, 1908. A. H. HBLANDER. BAROMETRICCONDENSER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 31, 1908.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

AXEL H. HELANDER, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA,

ASSIGNOR TO MESTA MACHINE COMPANY, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ACORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

BAROMETRIC CONDENSER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 12, 1908.

Application filed January 31, 1908. Serial No. 413,563.

' parts which more particularly constitute my invention.

My invention has relation to the class of barometric condensers, and isdesigned to provide a novel arrangement of the free steam exhaust forsuch condensers.

Heretofore it has been customary to provide the steam inlet pipe of thecondenser with a free exhaust controlled by a valve normally held closedby the vacuum action within the condenser. These valves are not onlyvery expensive but are exceedingly difficult to keep in proper workingorder owing to the difficulty of holding them properly seated, and inpractice they not only leak but more or less constantly chatter.

My invention is more particularly designed to avoid the use of valves ofthis character, and to provide a free steam exhaust in connection withthe tail pipe of the condenser so arranged that the escape of steam isnormally prevented through such exhaust by the water present in the tailpipe, but which upon the failure of the vacuum in the condenser, will beopen to the atmosphere. I also prefer ably provide in connectiontherewith, a valve for positively preventing escape of steam from thetail pipe into the surrounding atmosphere, although this may be omitted.

The precise nature of my invention will be best understood by referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which I have shown one embodimentthereof, and which will now be described, it being premised, however,that various changes may be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of my invention as defined in theappended claims.

In the drawings, the numeral 2 designates the condensing chamber, whichmay be of any well known or usual interior construction.

3 designates the vacuum pipe communicating with the upper portion of thechamber and connected with the usual exhaust pump (not shown).

4 is the usual water inlet pipe supplied by a pump 5, and 6 is the inletpipe for the steam to be condensed.

7 designates the usual tail pipe, which extends downwardly from thebottom of the condenser into a sink 8, into which the water ofcondensation is discharged from the tail pipe.

In accordance with my invention, I provide the lower portion of the tailpipe below the normal water level of the sink with an enlargement orchamber 9 having an outlet pipe 10 at its bottom, which discharges intothe sink through the openings or ports 11.

1.2 designates a free steam exhaust pipe, which communicates with theinterior of the chamber 9, and which leads to any desired place.

The discharge pipe .10 is preferably provided with a hollow valve 13,which is arranged to close the ports or opening 11 by the action of afloat 14 attached to a float lever 15 which is pivoted at 16 within anoilset portion of the wall of the chamber 9. This lever is preferablyprovided with an adjustable counterweight 17, and is connected with thevalve by means of the link 18.

The operation is as follows :Under normal working conditions there is acolumn of water in the tail pipe 7 of a height depending upon the vacuumin the condenser, and which seals the free exhaust pipe 12, the valve 13being held open by the action of the float as shown in the drawings.i/Vhen, however, the vacuum fails in the condenser, the water falls inthe tail pipe and is forced down by the steam from the steam pipe 6.This water will be forced out through the hollow valve 18 into the sink,where it is'discharged at the overflow l9 and the drain 20. Sufficientwater will be forced out of the chamber 9 to unseal the entrance to thefree steam exhaust pipe 12, and the steam will then freely exhausttherefrom. Some of the water in the sink will be forced out at theoverflow 19, and the constantly open drainage opening 20, and if thelevel of the Water in the sink should thereby be lowered sufficiently tootherwise permit any escape of steam through the openings 11, the fallof the float 1.4 will close the valve 13 and thus under any conditionpositively prevent any escape of steam except through the exhaust pipe12. This valve 13 may, however, be omitted, since ordinarily the body ofwater in the sink will be sufficient to prevent any escape of steam. Theuse of the valve, however, makes a positive safeguard, and is preferred.

To start the condenser suflicient water is pumped into the sink from anysuitable source to raise the float to open the valve 18.

The advantages of my invention will be apparent to those skilled in theart, and to whom the expense and difficulties of the ordinary freeexhaust valve in connection with condensers of this type are well known.

My invention can be readily and cheaply applied to exhaustingcondensers, and obviates the use of vacuum-seated valves, while i at thesame time it provides for the free exhaust of steam upon the failure ofthe condenser to work.

I claim 1. In a barometric condenser, a tail pipe leading from thecondenser, a sink or receptacle into which said pipe discharges at itslower end, and a free steam exhaust passage communicating with said pipebelow the normal water level of the water in the sink or receptacle;substantially as described.

2. In a barometric condenser, a tail pipe leading from the condenser, asink or receptacle with which the tail pipe leads and discharges, a freesteam exhaust passage communicating with the tail pipe below the normalwater level in the sink or receptacle, and a valve for controlling thedischarge of the tail pipe into the sink or receptacle, and means foropening and closing said valve by changes in the water level in the sinkor receptacle; substantially as described.

3. In a barometric condenser, a tail pipe leading from the condenser,and having a chamber at its lower portion, a ported discharge pipeleading irom said chamber, a

free steam exhaust passage also leading from b said chamber, above thedischarge pipe, and a float and connections operated by changes of waterlevel in the sink or receptacle for actuating said valve; substantiallyas described.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

AXEL H. HELANDER.

Witnesses GEO. B. BLEMING, GEO. H. PARMELEE.

